General Colin Powell, left, with General H. Norman Schwarzkopf in Saudi Arabia in February 1991. Photo: AP

He lived in retirement in Tampa, where he had served in his last military assignment as commander-in-chief of US Central Command.

Former president George HW Bush, himself sick in intensive care in Texas, was first to issue a statement mourning the loss of the man he chose to lead the war that came to define both of their careers.

''Barbara and I mourn the loss of a true American patriot and one of the great military leaders of his generation,'' his statement said.

''A distinguished member of that Long Gray Line hailing from West Point, General Norm Schwarzkopf, to me, epitomised the 'duty, service, country' creed that has defended our freedom and seen this great nation through our most trying international crises,'' Bush said.

''More than that, he was a good and decent man - and a dear friend. Barbara and I send our condolences to his wife Brenda and his wonderful family.''